A nostalgic story about love and loss on a small Canadian island.
I adored this book, both the characters and the setting. A perfect read for someone who loves character development and reflection

A dual timeline historical fiction novel about Emma, who wants to go to college and leave Sable Island, Nova Scotia behind. Her plans change when she falls for a sea captain. Things don't work out with the captain but she moves on with Logan and has a son only to find that relationship didn't work out either. We also meet Joanna in the 1990's who learns about Emma, her grandfather's lost love. I found Sable Island in the wild horses to be so beautiful. The characters were so feelable and the hopeless romantic that I am really loved everything about this. What a beautiful story. I highly recommend.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

This book did not appeal to me. Observing Emma’s immature behavior with Captain Harris felt awkward. While the characters are well developed, the story did not keep my attention and the dialogue was rather simplistic. However, I did enjoy learning about Sable Island and the beauty of Nova Scotia. Just a melodramatic read that left me disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Book Club
Canada
Fiction
Historical
Historical Fiction
Romance

I really enjoyed the writing in this book—especially the vivid imagery of Sable Island, which felt haunting and beautiful. The story had emotional depth and a strong sense of place, but the plot was a bit predictable. The jump from past and present also felt a little abrupt.

Overall, a well-written and atmospheric read, just not as surprising or seamless as I would have liked.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I'm not a fan of historical fiction. In fact, I usually run the other way when I see one coming my direction. But years ago, I read a story by Julianne MacLean and I've not yet stopped thinking about that book. It's taken me way too long to read more by her, but when I saw this book come across my feed one day, I was intrigued. I've never heard of Sable Island before, where this story takes place, but after reading this story, I want to know more! It seems like such an interesting place and it made the perfect setting for this story. I really enjoyed the dual timeline and was thoroughly entertained and engaged through the shawl story. If I can read this historical fiction and enjoy my time, you can do the same! You must read this story!

if you're in the mood for a beautiful, emotional, character driven novel, then look no further. Emma's story is one of love and loss and personal growth. It reminded me a bit of Where The Crawdads Sing, following the path of a young woman on her way to adulthood and discovering her place in the world. Emma is loyal and smart and ambitious but she is often held back by the men in her life. I loved her relationship with her father, and thought the author did a wonderful job depicting the desires of a father who wants his only child to seek their passion while also never leaving him. While Emma's life didn't go according to her plan, she was remarkably adaptable in forging her own path. I love the setting of the book, a remote island with few people and could picture the ocean and all its beauty.

A heart wrenching story of lost love spanning decades. Oh how misconceptions and fate can forever steer lives down different paths. The story has a great premise and is beautifully told for the most part. But I thought the original love story was a bit weak and unbelievable. Still a good work of historical fiction which was well researched. I will be checking out more from Julianne MacLean in the future. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of All Our Beautiful Goodbyes which came out in March.

This is a beautiful story and I loved the Nova Scotia setting and dual timeline for this wonderful book.

A celebration of life and love that stands the test of time. All Our Beautiful Goodbyes is spellbinding. A journey that sticks to the soul. Maclean puts emotion on full display. From endearing to heartbreaking, beautiful to messy, love spins a haunting tale.

If Julianne MacLean writes it, I am going to read it! Her ability to write completely addictive historical romances in the most stunning of settings, never ceases to amaze me. While the characters and their drama were all captivating, it is the setting that makes All of Our Beautiful Goodbyes truly shine. This was a bingeable read that I enjoyed! For readers who love some escapism with depth, check out All Our Beautiful Goodbyes!

I LOVED Julianne's book "A Fire Sparkling," so I was really excited about this one. This one just didn't hit the mark for me. It took to almost half the book (and taking a break to read another one) for me to get into it. Miscommunication and lies just left wrecking her life. Other people inserting their needs and wants into Emma's life drastically altering the course of her life. Yet through it all, she showed grace. Positives ... I loved learning about Sable Island and the horses. Emma is poster women for resilience and grace. The power of a mother's love and determination.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book.

I agree with some other reviews that this story is epic and unforgettable. Props to MacLean for crafting such a story that I will not forget!

An epic tale of unrequited love that is by turns breathtaking, heartbreaking—and utterly unforgettable.

And that’s truly the best description of this story: epic and unforgettable.
I love Julianne’s stories. I read my first one a few years ago, and since then, I’ve always been on the lookout for her next release. This one took my breath away, gave me all the feels, taught me about the beautiful setting, and captured my heart.
What better way to end the month than with a five-star read? Loved it.

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianna MacLean is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking novel that explores love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. The story follows Elizabeth, a woman grappling with grief and the remnants of a past love, as she navigates the difficult journey of healing.

MacLean’s writing is poignant and beautifully crafted, pulling readers into the emotional heart of the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the exploration of their struggles with forgiveness and moving forward feels both raw and real. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with moments of hope, sorrow, and redemption.

If you're in the mood for a heartfelt and moving read that lingers long after the final page, All Our Beautiful Goodbyes is a must-read.

All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne Maclean is a sweeping, emotional romance set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Sable Island. The book spans several decades, following the life of Emma Clarkson, a woman whose heart is shaped by love, betrayal, and the unforgiving passage of time. The author’s prose is undeniably beautiful, and the setting is rich with atmosphere—Maclean does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of life on the island, and I could almost taste the sea air and feel the isolation Emma faces.

The plot, however, feels a bit familiar. The story centers on Emma’s heartbreaking love life, from her first passionate but ill-fated love with a shipwrecked British captain, to a second chance with a seemingly perfect man who harbors dark secrets. While the twists and turns of Emma's life certainly kept me engaged, some of the plot points were predictable, and I found myself waiting for the next dramatic revelation to occur, which sometimes felt more like a formula than a fresh narrative.

This story was so good and I have added Sable Island to my bucket list! I would love to visit this place after reading this novel. Emma was raised on Sable Island and doesn't know much different, her father has done all he can to protect her from the real world and who people really can be. When a handsome captain and his crew are rescued from a terrible wreck, Emma can't help but wonder if there could be something. It has been love at first sight for her and their time together was not without some sort of connection, but when he gives her the cold shoulder when he leaves, she wonders if she was just a foolish girl. Years later a veterinarian has come to study the horses and she thinks maybe this is her second chance at love. Things progress quickly and soon she is a wife with a baby on the way, but her husband has become a different person and she is in for a shock about who he really is. Heading back to the safety of Sable Island she realizes she has now been hurt by two different men and may be better off on her own with her son and father. When a surprise visit from her past shows up to the island, she doesn't know what to do. She wants to guard her heart, but ultimately she can't and a future is planned. A future she has always dreamed of, but when a letter shows up months after their plans were supposed to happen, she knows this is the tragic ending. There will not be a happy ever after. Almost fifty years later, she gets the shock of her life when the truth of what really happened those decades ago comes knocking at her door. This was such a deep read! You felt for Emma through the whole entire story. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

A unique setting provided a romantic backdrop to this appealing novel. Sable Island is a small island off of the coast of Nova Scotia, populated mainly by wild horses. A small settlement was established to help save sailors from frequent shipwrecks, and that is where Emma’s story begins. As the daughter of the man in charge, Emma grew up with her father, since her mother died in childbirth. Learning as much as her father could teach her, Emma hoped to go off the island to university, but a series of events prevents that from happening. With a life full of heartbreaks, disappointments, joy and more, Emma’s story reels the reader in as she ages. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a beautifully written emotional read. Emma had lived a sheltered life and I liked how she acknowledged that. After the events of shipwreck she started learning some hard lessons. I loved her growth and maturity as she navigated her circumstances. The men surrounding her all frustrated me at some point as I was really wanting her to live her dreams. The 1955 timeline was so good and I loved how we not only got to know Joanna but it rounded out the story and when it started it gave me a lot of hope and clarity.

Thank you @juliannemaclean @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.

I’m enamored with World War II stories and the focus on after the war is a refreshing change of pace. The book is broken into multiple POV parts that showcase Emma’s story from after the war and spans fifty years. Set on the beautiful Sable Island, it makes me long to return. This is a love story that grabs you from the beginning and keeps the emotions on high alert. Twists and turns will keep you pleasantly surprised. It’s a great book to snuggle up with on the rainy days of spring.

This book was all kinds of beautiful.

Beautiful cover.
Beautiful setting.
Beautiful prose.

I’m a sucker for dual timelines - as long as they’re clear - and this one is done…beautifully.

My favourite part, save for the wild horses, obviously, is the vivid sense of place.

As a Canadian, it’s a bit embarrassing, to have never heard of Sable Island, but I’m glad to finally know, and live vicariously through this book’s characters.

The writing is such that you can TASTE the sea air and feel the breeze on your skin.

It’s wreaking havoc on my hair, but it’s doing wonders for my complexion.

I’m so glad to get to know another Canadian Author’s work, and I’m thrilled to have her robust back-catalogue to dig into.

Elbows up!